Tips for Firefighter Safety

Learn essential firefighter survival and safety tips, including PPE, situational awareness, communication, and mental health strategies to stay safe on the job.

Firefighting is a dangerous yet rewarding profession. It involves constant exposure to smoke, hazardous materials, and demanding tasks. Safety is crucial, as firefighters face significant risks daily, requiring a strong focus on precautionary measures and preparedness to protect themselves and others.

Firefighting is a Dangerous Job

Firefighting is as dangerous as it is rewarding. With constant exposure to smoke, hazardous materials, and the job’s physically and mentally demanding aspects, safety must remain at the forefront of mind in this profession. In 2023, 89 firefighters in the United States died from traumatic injuries, heart attacks, strokes, and aneurysms while either on duty or within 24 hours of duty. While this number is lower than the previous year, which had 97 fatal injuries recorded, it is still the second highest since 2013, which saw 98 on-duty deaths. The number of recorded fatalities over the past two years has been impacted by the inclusion of deaths occurring within 24 hours of duty. Before 2022, these incidents were only counted if the victims had reported a specific physical complaint while on duty.¹

The Importance of PPE

Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential in the fire service. PPE is crucial not only for immediate safety but also for long-term health. PPE allows firefighters to enter buildings without suffering burns or lung damage from smoke inhalation and is necessary even during size-up or overhaul operations to avoid serious injuries.

Each piece of equipment serves a specific purpose: trousers and bunker jackets, made with multiple layers of fabric, protect against radiant heat and partial flames while the moisture barrier prevents steam burns. Gloves and boots, made from fire-resistant materials, protect hands and feet from sharp objects, radiant heat, and other dangers. The helmet shields the head from extreme temperatures and falling debris.

Additionally, a face mask, air pack, and air cylinder regulate air pressure and provide clean air during firefighting operations. Some gear includes sealed-off editions to use exhaled air for cooling. Beyond physical protection, PPE safeguards firefighters from health hazards such as respiratory conditions caused by excessive smoke and fume inhalation. It also prevents skin absorption of harmful toxins and particles, reducing the risk of chronic health conditions. Proper maintenance of PPE is essential to ensure it remains in good condition and ready for use in fire emergencies.²

Situational Awareness

Effective situational awareness can be condensed into five steps.

Observe: Scan for visual, auditory, and other sensory cues at the fire scene, identifying potential risks and understanding the present situation.

Assess: Form a mental model from the gathered cues to understand the nature, intensity, and potential behavior of the fire, considering the situation as a whole.

Anticipate: Predict what could happen next if there’s no intervention, such as the potential spread of the fire or the structural stability of the scene, to better prepare for potential outcomes.

Prepare: Use predictions to prepare your team for effective action, devising strategies, assigning roles, and determining the next course of action.

Act: Put decisions into action, such as initiating a rescue operation or fire control measures. Throughout this process, it is crucial for the team to remain in sync, as communication is the glue that holds this process together. Without it, fire crews may have excellent situational awareness of the incident but not of their own team, which can have disastrous consequences.

Efficient Communication and Accountability

Effective communication is vital, with team members sharing their observations and understandings to ensure everyone is on the same page. Firefighters should undergo regular training to sharpen their ability to quickly perceive, understand, and predict fire dynamics. Using modern incident command boards (ICBs) provides real-time insight into operations. Some ICBs automatically track call data, reducing the cognitive demand on incident commanders and allowing them to focus more on the incident itself.³

Fire Scene Safety

Scene safety is paramount in firefighting and involves assessing and managing hazards to protect firefighters while they work on the incident at hand. This includes evaluating structural stability upon arrival as well as identifying hazardous materials and ensuring emergency personnel have the necessary equipment and training. Firefighters should conduct a thorough assessment of building stability, determining the best course of action. They must also be aware of risks like collapse, entrapment, and exposure and be prepared for rapid intervention if necessary.⁴

Mental Health

An estimated 100 firefighters die by suicide each year, suffering from mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress (PTSD) due to their emergency service duties. Firefighters and paramedics develop PTSD at a rate similar to military veterans, with about 20% meeting PTSD criteria during their careers compared to 6.8% of the general population.⁶ Supporting firefighter mental health and wellness involves several key strategies. Encourage open communication within the fire department and provide firefighters with access to mental health resources. Offer training on trauma-informed care and foster a culture of wellness within the department. Recognize the signs of mental health issues in firefighters and address the stigma surrounding first responder mental health. Additionally